Minutes - 20041115 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Regarding the class size reductions, Commissioner Gordon asked about the old class sizes and CHCCS Assistant Superintendent Steve Scroggs said 1:23 in K-2, and 1:26 in grade 3. The new class sizes are all 1:21. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he was surprised about the unfunded mandate regarding video poker machines. This is that the Sheriff's Department has to pay for the maintenance of these machines. He thinks it is terrible to put some of this on the backs of the citizens of the County. Commissioner Gordon asked about the pie chart (2004-05 Budget by Component) and the difference between County Operations and County Personnel Services. Donna Dean clarified. Commissioner Carey asked that County Operations be designated as non-personnel so that it is clear. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the DPI projections and highlighted that far CHCCS, the County funded based on 10,869 and 10,721 was the number. He said that CHCCS got some extra money. The OCS was projected by DPI to have 6,576 and they ended up with 6,670, so they were short-changed. He thinks it is important to let people know this because some people think the County is short-changing everybody. He asked about these figures and Rod Visser said that CHCCS got $388,000 and OCS lost just under $250,000. Chair Jacobs suggested looking at the five-year history to see the trend. Commissioner Halkiotis said that the State model is terrible and that the County should be free to develop its awn numbers. Jahn Link spoke at length about the issue of raising taxes. Commissioner Halkiotis said that it is important to explain to people what County government does and what it is responsible for. Commissioner Brown asked about the debt service. Rod Visser said that when the County is finished selling all of the 2002 bonds in a couple of years, the cumulative increase will be less than anticipated. Commissioner Brown painted out the alternative financing, which is $37 million that the public did not approve. This would be 3.5 to 4 cents. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the chart, "Overview of Currently Programmed County and School Capital Projects Coming On-Line," and suggested adding another column because there is nothing regarding an expanded 911 center, an animal shelter, and other things that have been discussed. This needs to be part of the information package. Commissioner Halkiotis asked about the psychology behind rebuilding the fund balance. Finance Director Ken Chavious said that they look at fund balance as a savings account. Commissioner Halkiotis said that there needs to be another discussion about this subject of the school systems having such a large fund balance. Discussion ensued on how other smaller counties have larger fund balances because they have not been successful with band issues like Orange County. Commissioner Brown asked John Link how much he would like to see the fund balance and he said that he would like to see it back to 12%. Chair Jacobs would like to see a report on how neighboring counties and municipalities treat their fund balances and show a clear picture of what makes Orange County different. Ken Chavious said that at the end of 2003, Orange County had 12.2°rb, Alamance County had 16.5°l0, Durham County had 11.5%, Wake County had 12.9%, Person County had 28.4°l0, and Chatham County had 29°!o fund balance. Commissioner Brown made reference to the cost of growth and said that she would like to discuss this. She would like to have some balance. John Link said that one tangible example of this was adding four positions in the Planning Department to reduce the inspections backlog. This directly relates to growth.